Switching device.



W. M. AUSTIN.

SWXTCHING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28.1913

Patented July 31, 1917.

1 smzvs--susn WITNESSES: IN ENTOR 6 ATTORNEY Patented July 31, 191?.

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8! 1/1/ ATTORNEY W. M. AUSTIN.

SWITCHING DEVICE. APPUCATION FILED MAY28.19I3- W. M. AUSTIN.

SWITCHING DEVICE.

APPLICATION nuzo MAY 28. m3.

Patented July 31, 1917.

' INVE TOR IQE WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER M. AUSTIN, 0F SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCHING DEVICE.

Application filed May 28, 1913.

Y '0 (IN. whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, WALTER M. AUs'rIN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Swissvale, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Switching Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to switching devices for electrical circuits and it has special reference to electrically operated switches of the double-throw type.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved operating mechanism for switches of the above-indicated character.

Another object of my invention is to provide a double-throw electrical switch that shall be rugged, durable and compact in construction and effective and reliable in operation.

I-Ieretofore, a circuit-controlling mechanism of usual construction having movable bridging contact members was provided with an operating mechanism which,whenin open position, caused the bridging contact member to assume a position that was non-parallel to its closed position, thereby necessitating one end of the said member making contact prior to the other, when closing the switch.

Moreover, when a multiple'throw switch has been equipped with an automatic trip ping mechanism, said mechanism has com prised a plurality of more or less independ ently disposed restraining devices severally adapted for use in the various positions of the switch, thereby complicating the construction and increasing the cost.

Furthermore, in many cases, means have not been provided for biasing the movable member to a neutral position upon the occurrence of predetermined conditions.

According to my invention, I provide a parallel motion mechanism for maintaininf! the movable contact member in parallel relation to the stationary contact members throughout the range of motion. In other words, both ends of the bridging contact member meet their respective cooperating stationary contact members simultaneously, thereby insuring proper and lasting alinement and good electrical contact. I also provide, in connection with a tripping mechanism, a single restraining device adapted for use in all operative positions of the switch, thereby simplifying and cheapening Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 31, 1917.

Serial No. 770,388.

the structure. Inaddition, I provide resilien t means for biasing the switch to a neutral mid-position from any operative position, under predetermined conditions. It will be understood that switches constructed in accordance with my invention need not be restricted to the type hereinbefore mentioned, but that the said invention is capable of much wider application.

1n the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 1s a view in sectional side elevation of a switching device constructed in accordance with my invention and shown in closed position; Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the switching device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view, partially in section and partially in side elevation, showing the device of the preceding figures in open position.

Referring to the drawings, a switching device 1 comprises an insulating panel or base 1, a plurality of stationary contact members 2, a plurality of cooperating movable bridging contact members 3, an operating mechanism 4 for said movable mem bers, an incasing member 4, a restrainin device 5 for said mechanism, a tripping coi 6 and a plurality of closing coils 7. The switching device 1, as shown, embodies two vertically-disposed sets of three stationary contact members 2 each and severally located at the side of the panel 1. The movable members 3 are severally adapted to make bridging contact with one of the middle stationary contact members and either of the corresponding end members. It will be understood, however, that the application of my invention is not limited to any particular type of switch.

The stationary contact members 2 severally comprise a contact block 8 that constitutes the head of a stud 9 which extends a through an opening in the panel 1 and is secured thereto by a nut 10. The movable contact members 3 severally comprise a plu rality of curved strips of sheet material which are held together by clamping bars 11 and 12.

The operating mechanism 4 embodies a laterally-extending crossbar 13 which is attached to the clamping bars 11 by bolts 11'. A centrally-located, doubly-bifurcated bearing member 14: is attached to the cross-bar 13 by tap-bolts 15. A. plurality of rods 16 are severally vertically alin'ed in the bifurcated portions of the bearing member 14. A plurality of links 16 severally have one end pivotally mounted on the rods 16 and the otherend pivotally mounted, by means of pins 17, Within bifurcated lugs 18 on arms 19 of a plurality of centrally located bell-crank levers 19 secured to sleeves 20 that are pivotally mounted at 19 on the several side walls 20 of the inca-sing member 4 and are severally specially adapted for use in the various bridging positions of the switch 1. The said levers 19 are sev erally provided with suitable integral handle sockets 21 for use in manually operating the switch 1, and integral projections 22 that are severally adapted for pivotal attachment to a plurality of operating rods 23 of the closing coils 7. severally disposed on the free bifurcated ends of the arms 19 of the levers 19 are a plurality of rollers 24 that are severally adapted for selectively engaging the restraining device 5, as hereinafter described. A plurality of suitable integral lugs 19 are severally disposed on the inner sides of the arms 19 intermediate the lugs 18 and the rollers 24 to act as stops for the several links 16.

The operating mechanism 4, as hereinbefore stated, comprises a parallel-motion linkage. A plurality of substantially triangular stationary mounting-blocks 25 are severally attached to the insulating panel 1 at the sides thereof substantially in horizontal alinement with the middle stationary contact members 2, and a plurality of cooperating movable mounting-blocks 26 are severally attached to the clamping bars 11 at the ends of the crossbar 13. A plurality of sets of two curved links 27 and one straight link 28 have their corresponding ends severally attached to the said stationary and movable blocks 25 and 26, respectively, by means of a plurality of pins 29 and 30. The individual airs of curved links 27 are severally oppositely disposed in a common plane and, consequently, are adapted for mutual nesting when in any bridging position. The straight links 28 are severally located outside the corresponding curved links 27. The disposition of the stationary block 25-, the corresponding movable block 26 and the associated links 27 and 28 is such that the pivotal pins 29 and 30 in the ends of the respective links are in vertical alinement during any closed position of the switch 1 and in horizontal 'alinement during the open position thereof.

The incasing member 4 may be of any desired form for suitably inclosing and protecting the operating mechanism 4. I prefer to employ a semi-cylindrical incasing member 4 which is attached to the insulating panel 1 and has a plurality of openings '31 in its curved face that are adaptcd to permit certain parts of the switching device 1 to extend theretl'irough.

The restraining device 5 is centrally located and comprises a tripping arm 32, a latch member 33, a handle member 34 and a cotiperating spring 35. The said device is pivotally mounted at 36 on a suitable internal projection 36 of the incasing member 4. The tripping arm 32 extends rearwardlf. through an opening 37 in the panel 1 and is adapted for actuation by the tripping coil 6, as hereinafter described. A ing 38 is provided on the lower side of the tripping arm 32 and is adapted to engage the helical compression spring 35 which is seated in a suitable recess 39 in the rear wall of the incasing member 4. The latch member comprises an arm 33 extending upwardly from the tripping arm 32 and a jawpiece or catch 40 of substantially U-shape for engaging the rollers 24 of the operating levers 19*, as hereinbefore stated. The handle member comprises a curved arm 34 projecting forwardly from the pivotal support 36, and an insulating knob 41 located on the end of said arm.

The tripping coil 6 may be of any suitable form, as the specific structure thereof is not material to my present invention. The preferable type embodies a hammer 42 that is supported by a spring 42 and is disposed directly above the tripping arm 32 of the restraining device 5, said hammer being adapted to deliver a blow to said arm and, consequently, to release the operating mechanism 4 when the coil 6 is energized under predetermined conditions.

The closing coils 7 severally comprise a movable central core 43 that is suitably attached to one of the operating rods 23, a

magnet coil 44 surrounding said core and an incasing envelop 45 for said coil. Each core 43 has a longitudinally-disposed central recess 46 in which is disposed a helical compression spring 47. A cap 48 of the same outside diameter as said core is suitably attached to the lower end thereof and has a centrally-located opening 49 of smaller diameter than the recess 46. Extending through the opening 49 is a rod 50 provided with an inner end flange 51 that is adapted to act as a movable support for the lower end of the spring 47 and also to prevent the rod 50 from dropping through the opening 49 in the cap 48. The lower portion of the rod 50 is of relatively small di ameter, thereby forming a shoulder 52, intermediate its ends that is adapted to engage the upper side of a guide-block 53 having a longitudinally-disposed central recess 54 to slidably receive the said lower portion of the rod, the said blocks 53 being disposed within the lower end of the coil 7. In the several bridging contact positions of the switch 1, one of the springs 47 is compressed by the rod within the corresponding recess 4:6, and the other spring 47 occupies the entire length of its recess 46, being free from any great compression.

The specific structure of the magnet coils 4 1 and the incasing envelop 45 is not material to my present invention. It will be understood that any suitable forms may be employed. The closing coils 7 may be supported by a bracket attached to the panel 1 or in any other suitable manner.

The operation of the switching device is as follows: Assuming the device to be in the upper closed position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the tripping coil 6 to be energized by an operator in any suitable manner, the opening of the switch is as follows:

The hammer 42, normally supported by the resilient thrust of the spring 42 embodied in the coil 6, is pulled downwardly under the influence of the electro-magnetism developed and delivers a blow to the tripping arm 32 of the restraining device 5, thereby releasing the roller 24 from the catch 40. The weight of the operating mechanism 4: and of the movable core member 43, assisted by the action of the compressed spring 47, then acts to move said mechanism away from the panel 1 and consequently break the contact between the several stationary and movable cooperating contact members 2 and 3, respectively.

By reason of the mechanical association of the movable members 3 with the stationary panel 1 by means of the curved links 27, the straight link 28 and the cooperating mounting-blocks 26 and 25, said movable members necessarily maintain their parallel relation to the stationary contact members 2 from the closed positions, Fig. 1, to the open position, Fig. 3. During the opening of the switch 1, the several pivotal center lines of the links 27 and 28 swing around the respective pivots 29 and 30 in the stationary mounting-block 25 from a vertical to a horizontal position. The links 16*, pivotally mounted in the bearing member 14 on the cross-bar 13, first swing toward each other and then outwardly. As hereinbefore mentioned, the open position of the switch 1 is substantially a mid-position between the two bridging contact positions.

Assuming the switch 1 to be in the openmid-position shown in Fig. 3, the closing of said switch is as followsrWhen the coil (3 is decnergized, the force exerted by the spring 42 will actuate the hammer 42 into the position shown in Fig. 1, thereby allowing the restraining device 5 to tilt forward a predetermined distance. Dependent upon whether the upper or the lower closed position is desired, the corresponding closing coil 7 is then energized in a suitable manner, thereby causing the movable core 43 to move downwardly to actuate the corresponding guided by the links 27 and 28 move the movable contact members 3 toward the stationary contact members 2 in parallel relation thereto. The links 16 swing toward each other and then continue in their respective movements toward the panel 1. The pivotal center lines of the curved and straight guiding links 27 and 28, res ectively, approach the vertical position. he lower roller 24: engages the catch 40 of the forwardly-tilted restraining device 5, and carries the same to the position shown in Fig. 1 simultaneously with the closure of the bridging contact members 3 upon the corresponding stationary contact members 2. The switch 1 is then locked in closed position. The downward movement of the operating rod 23 (shown at the left-hand in Fig. 2) has compressed the corresponding spring 47, thereby storing energy to assist in opening the switch, as hereinbefore described.

Although I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, those skilled in the art will understand that a much broader application of the said invention is included within the spirit and scope thereof, and I desire that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a doublethrow switch, the com bination with a plurality of stationary con tact members and a cooperating movable contact member for bridging one set of stationary contact members at a time, of a plurality of curved links pivotally secured at their respective ends to the movable member and a stationary member and adapted to be so disposed that the concave portions of the links are adjacent.

2. In a double throw switch, the combination with a plurality of sets of stationary contact members, and a cooperating movable contact member for engaging one of said sets at a time, of a parallel-motion twolevcr mechanism for operating the said movable contact member from engagement with one set of contact members to another, and a single restraining means for engaging one or the other of the operating levers to restrain the said movable member in engagement with any set of stationary contact members.

3. In a double-throw switch, the combination with two sets of stationary contact members and a bridging cont-act member therefor, of two links each having an intermediate portion offset with respect to a line joining its ends operatively connected between the bridging member and a stationary member, said links having their ofl'set portions oppositely disposed for maintaining the bridging member substantially parallel to the stationary contact members under all conditions.

4. In a double-throw switch, the combination with a"-plurality of stationary contact members and a cooperating movable contact member for bridging one set of stationary contact members at a time, of a double-position operating mechanism for said movable member comprising a plurality of oppositely-disposed substantially curved links disposed between and pivoted to the movable member and a stationary member and adapted to inter-fit with each other under predetermined conditions.

5. In a double-throw switch, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members and a cooperating movable contact member for bridging one set of stationary contact members at a time, of a double-position operating mechanism for said movable member comprising a plurality of oppositely-disposed semi-circular links disposed between and pivoted to the movable member and a stationary member and adapted to inter-fit with each other when the movable member is in either of its closed positions.

6. The combination with a plurality of stationary contact members and a cooperating movable contact member for bridging various sets of said stationary members, of a two-lever operating mechanism for said movable member, and a single latch for engaging one lever When the movable contact member is in one closed position and for engaging the other lever in its other closed position.

7. The combination with a plurality of stationary contact members and a cooperating movable contact member for bridging various sets of said stationary member, of a two-lever operating mechanism for said movable member, and a, single latching device for engaging one or the other of the said levels in accordance with the bridging positions of the same.

8. The combination with a plurality of stationary contact members and a cooperating movable contact member for bridging various sets of said stationary. members, of a multi-part operating mechanism for said movable member, and a single detachable latching member for engaging one part of the operating mechanism under one bridging position and another part under another bridging position.

9. In a double-throw switch, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members and a movable bridging contact member for bridging one set of stationary contact members at a time, of two operating lever arms for the bridging member, and a single latch for engaging one or the other of the said lever arms to maintain the bridging member in eitherof its closed positions.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 21st day of May,

WALTER M. AUSTIN.

Witnesses: I

A. E. Sumac, B. B. HIN'ES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). 0. 

